Chapter 3

After a fit of crying half the night she woke with the feeling of dread. She dragged herself out of bed saw the blood on the sheets and wanted to start crying all over again.

"She had given up her virginity to a man who didn't love her" she thought." After changing the sheets on the bed she thought, "Stupid, your just plain stupid especially when it comes to Rain!"

She walked into the bathroom, and showered. Putting on some make up to cover the fact her eyes were slightly swollen from crying. Dressing she decided she would go to the diner and have breakfast and check on the newspaper to see if there had been any more results from her attorney. "Then pack my bags and get out-of-town.! The sooner the better," she thought. "Rain didn't care one ounce for me; he was just interested in me for sex. Well he got what he wanted and now he would toss me a side and prowl else where. I sure beat him at his own game I tossed him out first. What a jerk and I was such an easy conquest. I certainly made a fool out of myself this time. More then likely it was because my heat was going to come in soon and I like a fool didn't reason things out. Thankfully I remembered to bring the medication to stop my cycle. It is just too soon to take it."

Slipping out the door and locking it and then realized her vehicle had been left in town, she started walking. Walking in the door of the diner Susan was sitting at the counter with a cup of coffee. The diner was empty for a change. "It is certainly the right time of the day on Saturday to come in," she thought.

Looking up Susan smiled and said "you know you really have to check out this announcement in the paper today. Same person sent it, but it makes no sense at all. I don't think this man knows what a poem is supposed to be. What's wrong Amethyst you've been crying?"

"Oh nothing just home sick it made me cry. Now about the poem let me see the paper."

Poison Ivy climbs near, at sun rise, Be on your way, this very day. Stay safe, as hell begins to rise. Court the flowers in a week and a day. (Putter.)

Her eyes widen, and she began to tremble. Fear crossed her face as she read. Then her eyes filled with tears, her hands could no longer hang on to the paper. Her entire minds seem to go blank for a few seconds. "Susan I have to go! And please do me a favor and tell Rain when you see him, I love him and I didn't mean what I said. Bye Susan!"

"Amethyst, where are you going? Are you coming back? Why are you so scared?" Not getting any answers to her questions she watch as Amethyst ran out the door. Got into her vehicle slammed the door and locked it and put it in gear and left.

Rushing to the cabin she began packing things in a rush. She stopped packing when she heard a vehicle driving into the yard. Rushing to the window she peeked out. "Oh no it's Hartman I have to get the hell out of here!" Grabbing what she could in her arms which consisted of the briefcase full of money, laptop she went to the back room. Silently she opened the window looked around then slipped out, closed the window part way. She rushed to the woods just in time to drop to the ground as a man came around the cabin.

She could hear him yelling "nothing here boss. She is not here! What do you want to do now boss?"

Hartman came around the other side of the house, said, "We will wait for her. She is still here; her clothes and things are still in the cabin her SUV is here too. Stay out of sight. She is probably in town or out for a walk. We will catch her when she comes back. I'll wait inside the cabin for her."

Moving slowly on her belly she crawled into the woods far enough she could stand up, not be seen. She ran staying off the path, but near it so as not to get lost.

Running down the path and through the woods not knowing where it leads, she new she had to get away. She prayed it led some place other then an animal path. If it turned into an animal path; she would more then likely die lost in the woods, and her body would never be found. Not a comforting thought. All her work to keep control over her father's estate, and company would have been for nothing. Walking and taking spells of running for what seemed like miles she was hungry and cold. She sat down by a tree and began to cry. After crying for about an hour she felt better but it did not improve the situation she now found herself in. Feeling sorry for herself would not help. She had to keep moving, keep out of sight. She had to keep her mind on what direction she was traveling in, and protect herself at all cost.

Susan was suddenly frightened for Amethyst, and she asked for time off to head over to the saw mill, and see Rain. First she ran up to the corner looking towards the cabins where Amethyst was staying. She saw some men and two vehicles there. Who ever they were she watched one man go into the cabin and not come out. The rest of them men hid in the woods out of sight. Maybe Rain could help or new something. Rushing to her beat up old car she put the pedal to the floor and was at the saw mill in twenty minutes. She asked the foremen if she could see Rain.

As Rain came out from behind a large pile of wood stacked eight feet high, he walked towards the office to see what the boss wanted Susan rushed up to him. Rain had an awful feeling something was wrong.

"Susan what brings you to see me? Trying to remain calm, after all he was an alpha and had to think first, and act later."

"Rain it is Amethyst, she read the announcement in the paper and became frightened. She ran out of the diner. I watched from the corner of the street she went up to the cabin. There are men in town looking for her. They went up to the cabin after her. I don't know if she got out of the cabin before they got there or not. People aren't saying anything except she was here kept to herself made no friends that they knew of and have no idea where she might be."

"What was in the paper that caused her to be frightened?"

"Here read." Susan said with trying not to cry.

Rain took the paper looked at the poem, then looked at Susan and read the poem.

Poison Ivy climbs near, at sun rise, Be on your way, this very day. Stay safe, as hell begins to

"Hell this doesn't make much sense."

"Yea it does look at it. Poison Ivy climbs near at sun rise. Those men came real early this morning. Be on your way this very day, she was told to get out-of-town. Putter who wrote the poem knew these men had found where she was. They knew she was here in this town, they have come for her. The rest, I don't understand. Oh Rain we have to do something to help her. Amethyst has become such a good friend."

"I will see what I can do." Hugging Susan he said; "go back to the diner pretend nothing has happened. Can you do that honey? And I will find her, don't worry Susan!"

"Rain something else, I need to tell you, Amethyst said, to tell you she loves you and she didn't mean what she said to you." Susan ran for her car and headed into town.

Rain's heart jumped from her words, and his inner wolf cried out for Amethyst. She loved him, and he smiled.

Talking to the boss and getting the day off was no problem; hell he never took a day off for any reason, not even when his brother Storm came to visit three months ago. Jumping into his truck he drove for town and he kept his speed up and got there in twenty minutes. He parked at Paula and Ned's. Walk around, and off to the far left into the woods. Rain shifted into wolf form so that concealing his present would be easier for him. Moving deeper he then turned to circle the cabins. Keeping well out of sight he began to check out cabin six and the surrounding area.

Rain wanted to see if anyone was at the cabin staying just out of sight in the woods he slowly moved around to the back of the cabin then towards the front again on the other side. He noticed four men out side the cabin hidden out of site, one moving around inside. Amethyst was not here he felt it inside him; the scent of her was not strong. She

Stopping, looking down he noticed the ground had been moved slightly. A normal person would not have noticed. He moved deeper into the woods picking up a slight trail, it wasn't much. His wolf scented the ground and his wolf cried out where is the female, "Damn if I know. But we have to find her." Running into the woods heading deeper and deeper his nose kept her scent in his mind. Rain was angry and he wanted rip someone into small pieces, he would if Amethyst was not alright. If she is not alive someone was going to pay dearly with their life. "How dare they cause his female to run, and hide even from him? He would let his inner wolf out with it in total charge of the results!

Amethyst needed shelter, the nights were still cold, and she had to find a safe place of some kind. Then she would shift into a wolf. The weather would be tolerable than. Walking and taking spells of running a few more miles or so she stopped at a stream for a drink of water. "At least I will not die of thirst. If worse comes to worse I can shift and kill something to eat." Then eating raw meat did not appeal to her. Just the thought made her stomach turn. "I will always be a city wolf at heart; Mm! Maybe it is for the best when this is over to go back to Casper."

Moving past a bush she came to a large tree. Amethyst saw just what she needed, a hole at the bottom of a tree, just large enough for her briefcase, laptop, and herself to fit into without being seen from the outside. Once inside the hole she found it to be much larger than she originally thought. Leaves were piled up inside, likely blown in during last fall. She would move them towards the opening and it would help keep the wind out, and conceal her, should anyone notice the hole and look inside. A squirrel had made a home above her and some seeds spread out on the ground. She took her paws and moved them to the entrance. Moving back as far as she could she curled into a ball and fall asleep.

Damn been on this trail for hours, and it is dark, but Rain saw perfectly, moon light and his wolf vision. "How far has she traveled, he wondered?" If she left at seven this morning as Susan said, she can't be too much further a head of him." Stopping at a stream to drink some water his nose picked up a stronger scent of her; "she was near!" Turning around in a circle he began to search, "her scent is stronger here. I can smell her but I don't see her. Where the hell is she?" He started to growl then a slight sound so low an ordinary person would not hear it.

It was a whimper like a small cub would make. His ears alert, he listened for another sound. Was there a female wolf in the area with cubs? There was no scent of them. Then he heard it again. Moving slowly, and silently he worked his way past a large bush to a large tree. The whimper came again, this time he realized it was in the tree. Moving around the tree to the other side he saw a hole, but it appeared to be full of leaves. His wolf began to fill with joy as Amethyst scent filled his nose when he sniffed at the hole. She was in side the tree. Rain thought, "Smart real smart hiding in a tree in wolf form no one would suspect it was Amethyst." Moving slowly as not to frighten her he slipped part way in side pushing the leaves aside. Amethyst in wolf form, was shivering, and curled into a ball at the back of the tree. He moved the rest of the way in. "He growled to awaken her."

Slowly her eyes opened, and she cuddled closer to him he licked her face then she slept. Having what she thought was the most wonderful dream. Rain was with her in wolf form. He was happy to see her; he licked her face to let her know she was safe. The dream would have been perfection if it would just become true.

"His wolf was content, so was he in this hole at the foot of the tree curled up next to what he knew now would be his mate! Whether she wanted to be, or not she was going to be his. He would charm her what ever it took to make her his mate. Love swelled in his heart for her."

Morning came quickly, and Amethyst was warm, the scent of "a; oh my, a wolf and it smelled like, like Rain. Could he be? That is why she was so attracted to him. It is why she gave her self to him. Why being so dominated by him turned her on. His were the blue eyes she had seen behind the bush at the cabin that night. He had scented her, and was checking her out. It all made sense. Oh God what have I done we can fit into the same world, almost" she said with a sigh.

Moving slowly towards the entrance, her eyes searched beyond the hole. She saw nothing even with the sun rising. "Where was Rain, or was she dreaming, no his scent is here she was not a sleep and conjuring him up out of her imagination. Then she heard a vehicle not far off maybe a mile is all, sounded like a truck. Then it stopped! Moving back into the hole, she prepared to attack anyone coming near the entrance. "Yes she could defend herself. A tiny voice in side of her said no escape. She listened, nothing, not a sound. The birds had not stopped singing as they would with a human." Then a growl sounded outside the tree she knew it was Rain. Crawling out and looking into his deep blue eyes they both transformed into humans.

Rain spoke in his alpha mode, and would not accept any other terms then she was going to do what she was told! His voice was stern. "Get your things and let's get the hell out of here before we are found. I have the truck about a mile from here. I know a place we can go! Then you're going to tell me everything that is going on, and I mean everything, Rained growled."

Lowering her head tilting slightly baring her neck in submission she spoke softly, "yes Rain!" Then quickly through herself into his arms and hugged him. He hated to move her out of his arms, but he had no choice. Taking her laptop from her he took her hand.

Moving at a slow run they made for the truck. Once they were close enough to see the truck Rain said, "Stay here while I make sure everything OK. I don't scent anything, but you never know." Finally he waved to her to get into the passenger side of the truck! Rain drove down the gravel road and hit payment headed north. About six miles down he turned left drove down another gravel road for a short distance, then pulled off on to a road that was more like a cow path. Amethyst sat and said nothing. Then he pulled into a small open area where a cabin sat. Rain shut down the truck. Turning to Amethyst he said, "Come its safe here at least for a while!"

The cabin was made of rough boards on the outside with cedar shakes on the roof. A single big room that was kitchen, living room and bedroom rolled into one was also rough boards. She looked around saw one big bed off to a corner. A bath room with a small tub and shower stall, the toilet made up the other room. It was clean, neat, well cared for. Five cots were leaning up against one wall for additional people to stay. The floor was sawed boards, and so were the kitchen cabinet doors. There were no pictures on the walls. The only light seem to be a couple of oil lamps that sat on the kitchen counter. A small table large enough for four people sat near the kitchen sink. The sink had an old pump well handle on it for water. A gas stove finished off the kitchen area.

"This is a lumber jack's cabin I stayed here before buying land and building a house." I'll make some coffee if there is some and you can tell me what the hell is going on!" Rain said as he turned to the cabinets. Rain flipped a switch and water came out of the old pump, interesting she thought a fake pump with a handle.

While Rain made coffee she kept sneaking peeks at him. He was angry, and he had a right to be. He more than likely felt used and lied too. Rain was going to feel a lot worst when he hears the truth about her. The feeling of dread worked its way through her body.

Sipping on a cup of coffee Rain waited patiently. He knew she would tell him once her nerves were settled. But his patience was growing thinner, by the second. He knew his face wore a scowl but could not help it.

Amethyst looked at Rain, began a prayer in her mind for acceptance. Lowering her head she stared at the coffee cup. "Rain my father was murdered by his business partner! I have no proof yet, but it is being obtained slowly by my attorney. My fathers partner Mark Hartman, could not talk me into marrying him. I didn't love him, I knew he didn't love me either; he just wanted my inheritance, and my share of the company. When I refused to marry him, he tried to black mail me into giving up everything to him. I knew if I did marry Hartman to save my life; he would have me killed. I am not sure if he knows I am a shape-shifter or not. If he knew he would make a side-show out of me! Sell me off to a circus, or freak show, or at least to the highest bidder. So I went on the run, my attorney lets me know what is happening, via the poems in the Globe Mail Newspaper. Peeking up at Rain, through her eye lashes, tears began to fill her eyes, over flowing, and running down to her chin. You will hate me if I tell you the rest. You won't want me! You will hate the thought you made love to me. You will feel I made a fool of you. I cannot bear to have you feel that way; please don't force me to tell you the rest."

"What the hell was she talking about making him feel like a fool? Why would I hate her for making love to her? I am totally confused by her words! Complex females, their quirks; this one was driving me crazy." he thought.

Tears streaming down her face Rain felt like his heart would break for her. Moving out of the chair he sat in and pulling her up and into his arms. "Amethyst tell me the rest. I'd never hate you, when I made love to you it was amazing. You were sweet innocent, and beautiful. I want you to be my mate. We have to be honest with one another, and you have to tell me every thing before we can have a life together. Not saying a word Amethyst moved out of his arms began to pace the room. Damn it Amethyst tell me!" Rain growled a warning.

The words rushed out of Amethyst mouth," I am a mufti-shape shifter!"

"What the hell are you talking about? I have never heard of one before. Sure I know there are werepanthers, werebears and werewolves. Before Rain's eyes Amethyst shifted into a black panther, then a leopard, then a wolf, back into human form! Rain's eyes grew large his facial expression was in awe of what he had just seen. If he had not seen it for himself, he would have thought someone was crazy telling him they existed. She was an amazing shape-shifter. I have never seen someone like you. How may animals can you shifted into? Are there many of your kind in the world? You shifted from one to the other without shifting to human form in between each animal. It is an extraordinary ability. You are truly gifted," he said in awe.

"I don't know Rain if I am, or not the only one in existence at the moment. I can shift into the ones you saw. I never tried anything beyond those three. I know it only happens once in a million were's. My father was a werewolf, my mother a wolf. I know my father loved my mother more than life it's self. And my mother thought the sun rose because of my father. My father broke when my mother died. He was never the same man ever again. They were happy and when I came along. When my parents found out I could multi-shape shift they were overly thrilled. I was taught at a young age to keep it to myself, and not to change in front of any one. I know it has some thing to do with some law to keep shape-shifters safe from humans. I also found out that it is not normal for a werewolf to fall in love, and marry a cat. So one or both of my parents must have had the dormant gene. There is no way of finding out with both my parents dead. I haven't a clue to whom to ask about it. If you have any suggestions, I certain am glad to hear them, or know some one with the answers that will work for me."

Rain thought "this is extraordinary." "Wow, do you think Hartman and these men know?"

"I don't see how they could, but someone knows; because it is how they found me. It had to be by scent, because I used cash for everything. Not one single credit card. I even dropped a few credit cards on the street in the larger towns I passed through in hopes others would use them. Do you hate me! Do you feel like I made a fool out of you! Are you sorry you made love to me? I am sorry; I didn't mean to make a fool out of you. I was just so attracted to you, and wanted you! You stole my heart."

Rain then at that moment realized he had made love to a cat, he was a wolf. She was part cat, "Damn! What a hell of a mess this situation is. I am in love with a werecat.

Until now, I had not seen her in cat form so she must be mostly wolf!" Then it stuck him like a slap in the face, "her coat, the marble appearance of her wolf coat was the cat color coming out. And for one moment his inner wolf seemed to be laughing at him. The inner wolf new, and didn't care, he realized neither did he." "I knew you were a werewolf by your scent the rest I am surprised, but it makes no difference in how I feel about you. I want you as my mate, if you will have me. I am an alpha of my pack and I work part-time at the lumber mill as do others in the pack. We can have a great life together if you can put your life into my hands, and trust me to get you out of this."

"Rain if we have pups they will have this dormant gene as well. We could have a pup just like me. The chances are lower since your pure werewolf. Remember it is still possible. Can you accept a pup that might be a multi-shape shifter?"

"Yes I can accept a pup of ours no matter what he or she maybe. Werewolf is great but so is a multi-shape shifter. I know my pack will also accept the pup or pups. I love you Amethyst and any cubs we have will be ours to love."

Breaking into the biggest smile she rushed into Rain's arms and kissed him over and over again until they were both breathless. He held her against him trying to take her inside his body. He held her for a few more minutes then said, "Sweetheart we have to stop before it goes any further. We have to figure this out, and see what we can do to fix things."

Amethyst felt disappointed that she had to stop, her body wanted him, her mind turned over and over, "I love you I want you I need you now!"

Pulling his cell phone out of his pocket, he called Pend. "Yea Rain what's up?"

"Can you get the guys together I've got a problem we have to get fixed right away. And also I have chosen a mate, and want you all to meet her."

"Rain, is it that real pretty dark hair girl with the long hair and amethyst eyes?"

"How the hell did you know? Rain asked"

"Rain you should know our alpha doesn't do anything, we don't know about." Laughter echoed from the phone, and Rain was smiling. Pend went on to say "Raw was in Wylie's bar having a few drinks, and he saw you with the girl. You were so involved with the woman you never noticed Raw. When Raw got back to house he told us all about her. Where are you Rain?"

"We are at the one lumberjack cabin."

"OK, I know the one be there in half an hour."

Reaching for Amethyst he said, "We have a half hour sweetness before the guys get here do you think you can rest for a while?"

"Only if you rest with me," she cooed at him with a smile. Ran her hands down his chest and then around his back to hug him. "I want you, need you now!"

"I want to spend more than a half an hour with sweetness. I want to hear you moan and cry out my name, when I make love to you. That; dear heart, takes more than a half an hour, I don't want a quickie. You deserve far better than that so get some rest. I have to keep watch." Rain kissed her on the forehead and headed out side.

Amethyst was sound a sleep in seconds of hitting the pillow. Even if the bed smelled musty, it did not ruin her happiness, or the fact she was sleepy. Her thoughts before falling asleep, "what an amazing werewolf Rain was."

"Amethyst wake up the guys are here."

With her eyes closed, and smiling Amethyst spoke softly, "I don't want to wake up I was having the most wonderful dream. You accepted me for the way I am, and still wanted me as your mate. Leave me alone to sleep please; I want to go back to that dream"

"It's no dream sweetness now get up." Rain said with a smile on his face. Then bent over her and kissed her lips.

Just then a knock at the door, and Rain walked across the room, and opened it, and Pend stood there with seven other men. Pend was six feet three like Rain. Pend had green eyes, and dusty brown hair. "Come on in! Boys this is Amethyst, they all removed their cowboy hats. Rain introduced Pend told her his mate is Kelly and his Beta then introduced the other men one at a time. This is Sparks his mate is Lilly, don't let the name fool you he is as calm as they come. Then introducing, a blond haired man Matt, Joe was the youngest of the men he was tall lean and shy. Joe had chocolate brown eyes and reddish blond hair. Raw was the shortest of the men at five foot ten, with hazel eyes, warm smile and black hair. Mike had brown hair and eyes stood six feet, his mate is River, and they have two cubs. This is Markus he's engaged to a female name Silver. Markus was six foot one and handsome. This is Smitty and his mate is Fire." Smitty was also six foot one had light blues eyes, a smile that was warm, friendly.

Smitty smiled and said, "Her name fits her too, she is a regular little fire-ball." He laughed and slapped his knee. I love her any way you'll see why.

Amethyst smiled and nodded her head as each man said hi or hello to her. "Wow, these men all have six pack abs, strong muscled chest, I feel like I am at a Mr. Universe Contest and the men here were winners. Looking at the men and then to Rain, she decided that Rain was the champion."

Walking over to the table Rain filled in the men about the situation as he filled their cups with coffee. "That is it in a nut shell boys we have to protect Amethyst and take care of this situation she is in."

Raw spoke up, "I met a man last night at the bar he was about six feet, dark brown hair, smiled side ways Asked questions about where Amethyst was staying, who she was with. I knew you had a date Rain with Amethyst but nothing else. I didn't tell the guy anything, didn't think you would like it since you were keeping her a secret Rain."

"Looks like I didn't keep the secret to well, Rain laughed. Did he ask anyone else at the bar?"

"Yea he asked Wylie about her but he said he never saw her and he sees everyone in town at one time or another. Or at least he never waited on any women who looked like her description, Raw said.

"Good old Wylie sure knows how to keep his mouth shut! Rain smiled knowing he could count on his friends in times of need."

Rain walked over to Amethyst took her by the hand moved across the small room. "Amethyst I know this is sudden you said you would be my mate, normally we would be married by an Elder of a pack in the old traditional way of being binded. We don't have an Elder yet. So we need to use the Reverend in town. Will you be my mate today by law?" Rain pulled her into his arms and whispered into her ear, "I love you!" He held her as if she were fragile flower that would break with the slightest of pressure. "Please say yes Amethyst! If you say yes, it will be my place to keep you safe from harm. If anyone tries to hurt you, he is as good as dead. The guys will also see to your safety as a member of the pack."

Amethyst looked into Rains eyes, saw the uncertainty. She knew it had to have taken great courage to confess his love for her in front of his men "I have never been a member of a pack; I do not know what to expect, or what is expected of me! You want to undertake the responsibility of my welfare. Then expecting the pack to also put my safety in their hands seems like a lot to ask. You have no idea who or what kind of man Hartman is, and what you're going up against. Rain, he is a dangerous man. He will kill you, and me, and anyone else who stands in his way. I don't want to make any of the females in the pack widows."

Rain spoke softly, "there may come a time when the safety of the pack falls on your shoulders; you will be expected to protect them, as well as yourself. As for Hartman, I have come up against some mean men in my life. He can try, but he won't succeed."

Amethyst new Rain was not bragging, just stating a fact. She realized in his twenty five years he must have come up against some pretty nasty men, and was thankful he survived it. "If it only takes love to hold us together, and then we will last an eternity. I love you Rain more than life it's self. I would be proud to be your mate by law, now and always." Amethyst said in awe of the man who stood before her.

Rain lifted her into the air and swung her around with a big smile on his face. "Then that settles it!"

Rained turned to the men sitting at the table. All of them were watching him with big smiles on their faces. "Smitty run into town pick up Reverend Davenport bring him out here, tell him there is to be a wedding, tell him to bring all the necessary papers, and to tell no one. Pend go home get Kelly, the rest of the females to come back here. The rest of you keep watch until Pend gets back."

Pend left for the alpha house, Rain turned to Raw, "after the wedding get on the internet, and get me as much information as you can about this man, name Mark Hartman. Also Raw when on the computer check to see what packs are near Casper, Wyoming. And Joe head into town, and see what you can find out about this guy asking questions about Amethyst."

"No problem Rain each man stated." They went out side and shifted into wolf form and kept watch.

Half an hour later Reverend Davenport and his wife drove up the lane. The Reverend Davenport was a stocky man standing five feet eleven. He wore lifts to make him appear taller. He had gray hair that was kept trimmed neatly. The Reverend stood with his back in an arch, as if lecturing, or giving a sermon at the church. His chest was puffed out like a roaster trying to impress some hens. Talking to each one of the men then turned to Amethyst. He had a friendly smile and made her feel at easy immediately. Smiling he said leaning over, "child you are a delight to these old eyes. I do not think I have ever seen such beauty as you possess." Amethyst blushed and smiled up at him.

Kelly was five foot five; beautiful light brown hair with blond high lights in it from the sun. She was well formed with long slender legs. Kelly wore a plain skirt, and white top. She was very pretty, and kept glancing at her mate Pend. She also noticed Pend kept and eye on her as well. "Awe must be love." Once Amethyst was dressed she decided she looked elegant! The skirt Kelly lent her was splashes of multi-colors. The top was tucked inside which was white lace. Her hair lay down her back free with little waves in it. She refused to let Rain in to the cabin to shower; she didn't want him to see her dressed up before the wedding. He had to clean up in well water that was heated on the stove and sent out to him. Pend had brought him clean jeans, dark blue shirt, and his favorite cowboy boots. He looked handsome in his western clothes.

An hour later Pend was best man Kelly his mate was maid of honor, and Rain stood by her side, and promised to honor, and keep her, and love her. And she in turn spoke the words that bonded them by law. Reverend Davenport signed the papers and said, "I will take them to the court-house, and have them registered." The Reverend handed Rain the originals and he took the copies for the court-house.

Rain spoke softly and told the Reverend Davenport to call him once the papers were registered legally. Rain handed the Reverend a hundred dollars. "Thank you for marrying Amethyst and I."

As Amethyst hugged the Reverend Davenport she handed him a piece of paper, asked him to have it taken to the court-house, and register it, to tell no one about it. He whispered he would and hugged her back told her to tell Rain about the paper she gave him.

Speaking to Rain and Amethyst he said "I will say prayers that your lives be filled with happiness." With that he stepped out side the door and drove away.

Smiling she thought, "Hartman will never know what she had done. Rain had left her to go out side to speak to his pack members before they were mated, she quickly wrote up a will leaving everything to her husband Rain Walker with a nice sum to keep Anna her nanny well off for the rest of her days. She made a quick hand written copy of it and stuck it into the brief case. She would tell Rain tonight about the will."

The Reverend Davenport drove his own car, when he left the cabin he did not drive into Coyote Ridge as Rain had instructed him to, instead he drove north to Spring Water a half an hours drive north. He had thought to call a friend who worked at the court-house an hour later Paul his friend had everything taken care of. Paul had registered the marriage certificate and Amethyst last will and testament. Paul was a tall lanky man with dark red hair side burns that were down to his jaws. His smile was the most charming thing about him. He loved doing favors for people, it made him feel important, and it showed; any one who was his friend was significant.

With the papers registered Davenport walked to his vehicle smiling. An hour later he called Rain on his cell phone, and told him what he had done. And the reason for not going into Coyote Ridge in case those men came to see him plus having to wait a day more to register the papers could ruin things. He also told Rain he would not return home until Tuesday night, so he would not be at the church before then. This way no one would know the difference. Copies of the papers Amethyst gave him were mailed as per her wishes to her attorney. "What papers did Amethyst give you?"

"You will have to ask her yourself son, she said she would tell you this evening when I ask her if you knew. Give her a chance to tell you herself, without asking son. See you at Markus's and Silvers wedding, bye Rain"

"Thanks Reverend." Rain clicked off his phone.

Pend and Kelly had brought food and drinks for the occasion. Kelly held Pend's hand the entire time and could not stop smiling. "Amethyst I want you to know how thrilled Pend and I are to see Rain so happy. He has been a lonely man for to long. I know he's only twenty-five now; he has been on his own since he was fifteen. He met Pend, when they were twenty, and they set up the pack just four years ago. They have worked hard, welcomed new comers. In two weeks we have a nurse coming, we are building a clinic for her. It's a great time to be joining our pack. And there is going to be a wedding this week. Markus is getting married to a wonderful girl name Silver. She is from the same pack I came from. Rain sent Markus with a message for my father, and that is when they met. They have been dating for four months. Markus ask her to mate about two weeks ago. Markus starting building his home shortly after joining the pack, always wanted a home of his own."

"If Pend and Rain came here to set up the pack, when did you meet Pend" Amethyst asked?

"Our marriage was arranged in away. My father is the alpha with the pack east of here. The marriage between Pend, and I secures our lands together giving us lots of space to grow. I love Pend, have since the moment I saw him, we are one in thought, mind, body, and soul."

Amethyst looked confused then said, "I thought arranged marriages were between alpha's daughters, and an alpha of another pack. So why didn't you marry Rain?"

"Rain was notified by my father of his request for a political pairing. When Rain came with Pend to visit my father; I talked my father into letting me marry Pend, when I saw Pend, I just knew we were meant to be. There was no one that made my heart flutter, then beat faster, not even Rain with all his good looks. I cannot explain it; I lost my heart to Pend. My father agreed to the marriage. Just as long as Rain agreed, and he did, so I married Pend. We didn't mind bond for the first week. He wanted me to feel I was a part of the pack first. Pend and I have been mated for all most half a year now. Pend admitted to me later, he didn't want to mind bond right away, it didn't feel like the right time to him. We were mated a week when he finally felt it was the right time," Kelly giggled. "I am glad we waited it was amazing. You just wait and see when you and Rain mind bond."

Smiling she hugged Kelly, "I am so glad you married Pend." Laughing, sneaking a peek at Rain across the room while he spoke with the other men.

As if he new she was looking at him Rains eyes moved from Pend and he looked at her. Rains smile was warm and loving. His eyes were shining, she thought, "he's happy, really and truly happy. The lines in his face were gone from stress. It is as if the challenge that Hartman was giving him heightened his awareness. Gave him something to focus on besides his pack; he new he could trust each and everyone of them to back him up and he's be there for them! An inner strength seems to be seeping from his body. The scent of him caused her insides to quiver slightly."

When Pend and Kelly left they took Rains silver Ford truck. Parked out side was Pend dark blue Ford truck. The other men and women in turn loaded the remaining four trucks.

"Why did Pend take your truck and leave his?"

"You said that you used cash for everything and then you stayed in your vehicle instead of using motels and hotels. We are reasonably sure you had to have been scented for someone to find you so quickly. Even you thought you must have been scented. So we are going to make sure your scent gets lost or mixed into with others so it can't be found so easy."

"Where did Pend and Kelly take your truck if not back to your house Amethyst asked?

"They went to Spring Water; they took your jeans, and are going to leave a trail there in town. Then come back the long way. They should get back around midnight or so."

"If any one is scenting us it will throw them off for a time. Pend's truck parked next to the porch, and I am carrying you out of here, and placing you into the truck, and taking you home to my house. So get your things, and let's go." Rain drove different roads in different directions in hopes to make tracking more difficult.

Amethyst set next to Rain and he had his arm around her shoulders. The ride back to the alpha house was accomplished in no time. Rain crossed graveled roads and slipped up a cow path at one point and back onto another gravel road. She was actually enjoying the ride and loved how Rain gave her shoulder a squeeze every once in a while. Both seem to be lost in the pleasure of the ride and didn't speak. Amethyst realized how much her life had changed over so short a time. There was no turning back, she had to face what came next in her life, and she didn't have to do it alone. The thought gave her a lot of comfort. Her father crossed her mind and new he would be happy for her. It was all he ever said he wanted for her out of life. With the thought of her father her mother came with him. She knew her mother was happy for her, but missed her deeply. She would be so proud of her right now. It gave her comfort deep inside to know both her parents loved her so much when they were alive.